It’s 1978, and you’re a Baby Boomer with a wife and a little kid or two, and you just got a promotion. Time to dump that hulk of a Pinto or rusty Nova, and buy a nice, new car. Specifically, a reasonably affordable compact-mid size car (the definitions of those were in huge flux at the time). What will it be?

I popped out with my choice: a 1978 Ford Fairmont ES with the 302 V8, sport suspension, four-speed stick (I’m not sure that was actually available), alloy wheels (not shown on this one), bucket seats, and floor shift. It was the closest thing to an international-style sport sedan, in my opinion, if hardly perfect. But it was clean, unpretentious, roomy, and light. Given what had been available from Dearborn up to that time, it was a first step in a big new direction from Ford, a harbinger of things to come. And yes, it was a “mid-size” in the changing realities of the time; the Fairmont had 90% of the interior room of a 1978 Impala. No, the LTD II wasn’t a “mid-size” car anymore, not that it ever was one, really.

But there were other cars in that general bracket that were appealing too. We’ve shown you some, but there were others too. Now I’ve set this up as a domestic car question, but if you’re from another country, feel free to go shopping from what was available there in 1978. But let’s keep it to sedans/hatches in the roughly comparable price/size bracket, otherwise we’ll be all over the map.

+1. A friend’s father had a 1980 version of this car, black on black with the t-top, and I thought it was an awesome car. I also liked the fact that Olds used different grill treatments on the Calais version for ’78-’80 so you could always recognize the model from the front.

I had the LeMans Safari in Desert Sand, with planked woodgrain. Vinyl interior. It had the 350 4bbl. It was the dealer’s wife’s car. Rally wheels, crank windows, no power door locks, and a mast antenna. One of my favorites….

We also had a ’78 Catalina. The 305 that ate its camshaft, and was replaced with a 350. Gorgeous Laredo Brown, also with a vinyl interior. We kept that car for years, and 200k miles. We replaced it with an ’85 STE, ordered new.

Wasn’t the Fairmont considered a compact? The Granada would have probably been closer to a midsize. I guess the Fairmont’s size wasn’t far off a Malibu. Regardless, my father’s 1979 Fairmont 302 wagon was the worst car he has ever owned in over 50 years of car ownership. The car was constantly breaking down, the body rusted severely prematurely, and the car was basically completely worn by 100K miles. We had a few other early Foxes in our family and none turned out to be good cars. My father replaced the Fairmont with a B-body and although the dimensions may suggest that the Fairmont had 90% of the interior room, in reality the difference seemed much more, especially when you had 5 or six adults in the car.

However, the A/G-bodies we’ve owned have all been good. My choice would be a 1978 Malibu coupe, with a 305-4bbl and a 4-speed manual and F-41 suspension. Not only a good looking car, but decent performance and handling for the era.

I looked up the figures, & the ∆ between a ’78 Fox & GM A-body is 3“ & a couple hundred lbs depending on content (unibody vs. BOF). So by this time the gap between an “intermediate” & “compact” was narrowing, as might be expected.

Since I drove a V8 Fairmont, I 2nd Pauls’ choice for performance, but for comfort the A-body might be preferable.

I have to agree – we had Fairmonts as police cruisers in 78-80 during my stint as a USAF Security Policeman – they were universally hated – cheap and always breaking down. I won’t say what we called, them but it was typical GI slang….. Lest you think these were fleet clunkers, a friend had a 78 Fairmont Futura that was just as cheap and unreliable as the others.

Another friend had a 78 Cutlass Supreme and the difference in feel and build quality was drastic – the Olds was really nice.

Note not all the Fords were bad, we had 86 LTDs with the 5.0 SFI engine – these were great cruisers – and the senior guy (or gal) always pulled rank to get one……

Raising a young family back then, we had a ’76 Aspen Wagon, semi-loaded, dark green. I liked the looks of it and it was pretty roomy for a young family. To stay in the same frequency as Paul requests, the ’78 was practically the same, but I would want one with a manual. The 225 slant six was ok but don’t go looking for many hills, and/or definitely don’t engage the A/C if you want to get home early. How Chrysler let you get the power amenities in a wagon with the six and automatic was amusing at best, heavy labor at it’s worst.

That’s just the car I would chose. My grandpa (the one who had a 1957 DKW) had a yellow 1979 Opel Rekord 2.0 E with 110 PS. I remember sitting next to the dog on the back seat. Until recently my younger brother had an almost similar 79 Opel Commodore 2.5 with an engine as smooth as any BMW engine I’ve ever experienced – at least below 4000 U/min. As much as i liked that silky six cylinder, I would have chosen the four cylinder fuel injected Rekord with only 5 PS less than the bigger (and thirstier) Commodore. By the way: Opel had so many great model names back then: Diplomat, Admiral, Kapitän, Commodore, Kadett…

The Dodge Monaco badge moved over to the mid-sized Coronet in 1977, so I’d get a 1978 Monaco with the E86 Pursuit option. Thanks to its relatively uncorked 440 ci engine, it’s the only midsize of the time that would almost be able to keep up with a modern mid-sized car, provided the Camcord was equipped with a 4 cylinder/automatic combo and carrying 3 passengers with the A/C running.

My choice would be a ’78 Monte Carlo…The first of the downsized intermediates and the first year of my favourite body style for these cars, the ’78 – ’80 “shorties”. Pretty much same size as a Malibu, even though it only has 2-doors…Kids (if there were any) can tilt the seats forward and climb in, much like we did when my Dad kept buying 2-door cars in the ’70s…

With 1970’s quality being what it was, no brand-new design would be trusted, so the Fairmont and GM A-bodies would be out. No way I would go for the space inefficiency of the LTD II, and the pretentiousness of the Granada completes knocking out Ford. The quality horrors of the 1976 Chrysler F-bodies would probably eliminate them for me, along with their new, lengthened Dodge Diplomat/Chrysler LeBaron variants. As a tall guy, my love of space would knock out the AMC Concord, leaving me with two decent choices: The Plymouth Fury/Dodge Monaco, or the end-of-the-line AMC Matador. And given Chrysler’s problems in the press, I likely would have gone with the Matador, unless there was a really good deal on a decently-equipped Fury.

No wagons? OK then, a Lebaron or Diplo 2 door or maybe a Cordoba/Magnum. Ties broken by color and equipment available on the lot, along with price. 360 V8, please. And yes, I know the odds of s lemon were about 50-50.

CJinSD may also have something with a Fury/Monaco 440. But by 1980 I would be kicking myself with a choice if pouring big bills into the tank or selling it for cents on the buck.

I wasn’t on board with the Fairmont yet, but a Cougar XR-7 might have made the cut.

Fairmont 2-door if wanted low-cost spartan transportation, or…. I’d most likely go for the ’78 Buick Century Sport Coupe. Better handling than the Ford or any Mopar of the day, hatchback utility, and it’s a Buick so it’ll come with some toys. 305 V8 and the 14″ rally wheels with the suspension package, please.

Lets see 78 I was overhauling steam turbines for a living but satill didnt have the 60% deposit required for a new car here, a 265 Valiant would have been first choice it being about the only 6 capable of going head to head with what I was driving, I had several vehicles in 78 a 74 F11, 250 Kawasaki dirt bike, a souped up 65 3.3 Velox and a 51 AL110 International flat bed, did I need a new car undoubtably yes did I want one? No.

I was in the market for a new car in 1978 and actually considered the Fairmont with the 302. Unfortunately I couldn’t find one with a four speed, I don’t know if they weren’t available anywhere, weren’t available in California or dealers just didn’t want to mess with them. I ended up buying a 1978 Rabbit (made in Germany) that I drove for 7 years and 120k miles. I know that VW catches a lot of flack here (and other places) for poor reliability but the one I had was an outstanding vehicle. The only major repairs I had were replacing the exhaust system after about 5 years and replacing the brake master cylinder about six months before I traded it away. It still had the original clutch, no slippage, and the rear brakes were never replaced. I wonder if the Fairmont would have done as well.

By 1978, the Rabbit was sorted out into a very good car. It was the early ones that were so bad, mostly due to VW cheapening everything. The later cars were much more expensive. A 1980 Rabbit Diesel L five door retailed at $8500 in Canada, Caprice money.

My folks had a ’75 Rabbit, red, 2 door, 4 speed, plastic covering on the seats that burned your legs. They were hoping for good fuel economy and Beetle reliability, but that car had drivability issues from day one. The carburetor just never worked right on that car. We wound up making the dealer buy it back as a lemon, and my Dad swore off foreign cars for 20 years. He said he’d disown me if I ever bought a VW.

Had a 77 Rabbit, good car but got totaled after about 3 years. 77-78 were the best, or 79 Diesel. I had a 75, the carb was junk but an aftermarket Holly-Weber carb that was available at the time worked great. It even had an adapter for the stock air filter assembly, and was smog legal in California. The car was mostly trouble free after that. The 80 to 84 Jettas were fine cars, German built but expensive. The US built Rabbits, especially 79-80 are best avoided. I’m having a tough time trying to figure out what new 78 US car I would want, I guess a Malibu with 350 V8 and TH350. Hard on gas but easy on repairs, at least for the times.

Oh jeez, all these bad cars take me back to my high school years. I suppose I’d buy a Fairmont squire wagon in hindsight. But at the time I liked the new Malibu, crisp exterior styling and cool interior styling.

The EPA used to determine the “size” of a car based on it’s interior volume, NOT the outside measurements or wheelbase….(not 100% sure that is still the case).
As a result, some cars that looked compact on the outside were considered to be mid-sizers, often because they had raised roof lines.
I agree with AKADriver in that I’d pick the Olds Cutlass with it’s unusual fastback roof line. I’d get the top series (I think it was called the Salon) and I’d get it in black with a contrasting color interior.

BTW, I heavily influenced my father into buying a 1978 Zephyr. It was a 4 door sedan with 302 and just about every option short of the Ghia package. Aside from the pumpkin colored interior that was instantly dirty, that car was trouble-free for more than 150,000 miles. But my father, as a travelling salesman took very good care of his cars. The paint appeared thin from the factory and could have been polished more frequently, but rust only developed on that rust belt car in the passenger foot well. A very entertaining car to drive, but assembly quality was not up to GM standards.

Having personal experience with the quasi-fastback Cutlass Salon, I think you’re both out of your minds. I suppose there were less-reliable cars, but that’s the only good thing I can say about it. I struggle to recall anything I could even grudgingly call a virtue, aesthetically, dynamically, or from the standpoint of utility.

GM knew that most Americans associated hatchbacks with econocars so the Olds and Buick slantbacks had “conventional” trunks. I’m not sure, but I don’t think/remember these cars as having folding rear seats to expand the trunk.

I remember the ’78s well, the Chev Olds dealer my Dad worked at was a busy place that year. Malibus and especially Cutlass’s were hot sellers, but I recall a Rally Nova that arrived with a 350 and a 4 speed. It was a special order car that was only on the property long enough to PDI and clean it, and I never saw it again but that’s what I’d want from ’78 if I had to pick a mid sizer.
I know, it’s supposed to be a compact, but there wasn’t really much difference in size from a Malibu. It was sort of a forgotten car that year, there were only a couple in stock at any time and they were kept around the side along with the Monzas and Chevettes.
Second choice would be a ’78 Grand Prix, an old girlfriend had one and it was a very nice car to drive. It was a 2 tone silver/grey with red interior and looked great as well.

Been lurking here for years and thought I just had to post a comment on this one. I was 14 in 1978 but if I’d been old enough to buy a car it would have been an AMC Concord D/L wagon. Tried to get my Dad to take one for a test drive and he actually went to the dealership to look (when they were closed) and instead tested a ’78 Ford Granada – what a piece of junk! My suspicions were borne out a dozen years later when I finally got my Concord wagon in the same colour as the attached pic, and my BIL got a ’78 Granada – the AMC was way better!

Gotta go with Frank. In 78 I bought my Concord after a terrible go around with the general.. Two door with vinyl roof in just about that color. I would have preferred the wagon but my (ex)wife who had just been driving a firebird wouldn’t have a mom car.

I think this time I would take the 232 over the 258. High teens for gas mileage with the 258 and I am not sure the 232 would have been better.

Nova/Aspen-Volare high on my list but the concord just seemed to be a much higher quality. No regrets except that I took it to Guam and should have brought it back.

I liked the Volare/Aspen wagon as well. They were well packaged, and good cars, if not for the recalls, stalling and early rust. I remember after a few years, virtually all Chrysler compacts with the transverse torsion bar front suspension, would develop very embarrassing (and cheap sounding) front end rattles. Otherwise, based upon their engineering, these could have been great cars for Chrysler.

In a dream world, I think I might have gone with a Cutlass Supreme coupe, just because I think it looked a world better than the 4-door sedans of that vintage. I distrusted both Ford and Chrysler in those days, and AMC just didn’t even figure into my world–especially after having driven a ’67 Rebel station wagon.

In the real world, in 1978 I missed out on a ’72 Dodge Dart sedan with automatic, PS, PB, A/C, and the 318 V-8. Then I considered seriously a ’75 Valiant sedan with similar equipment but the 225 six. (Unlike a lot of Chrysler products, the word was that modern Darts and Valiants were reliable and durable.) What did I buy? A 1970 Torino Brougham with about 60,000 miles, 2-barrel 302 V-8, auto, PS, PB, and A/C, and a good price. It served me well for five years, and was the first decent car I had had.

Give me the Volare Roadrunner with the Super Coupe package, 4 bbl 360 with TF tranny. Not sure if T-tops could be had with that package, but that’s what Id want. I found some interesting specs on these:

If you scroll down, you can see how these stacked up against the competition. The ‘street kit car’ is good for a low 7 sec 0-60 time. That’s VERY respectable, given the times of tape and spoiler performance.

FYI, I just noticed that these are wearing the 6-slot 15×8 roadwheels used in the police package M bodies. Looks like a whole new animal in dull silver with bright trim rings and centercaps, don’t it?

I pretty much just like the RR and R/T coupes…although Daniel’s sport wagon down below is pretty tight. I did the same facepalm as every other Mopar fan for years, until I saw how they REALLY stacked up back in the day. IF you can find one after they improved and it doesn’t un-build itself.

I forgot to point out how the simple act of blacking out the bumpers and other chrome on the Super Coupes make these look at least 65% better!

I liked them too, but compared to the late 60s versions, they weren’t in the same league IMO. I thought the Super Coupe and the Richard Petty tribute coupe looked interesting in the brochure… Especially the Super Coupe, but I never saw them on the street. The R/T Aspen was very popular in ’76/’77. I thought they looked great in black. Wasn’t a huge fan of the red orange Roadrunners. Even with the rally wheels, they needed bigger tires to fill out the wheelwells.

If I’m making the salary I make today, it would be an easy choice: Cadillac Seville (sorry, Paul, I know you dislike them) as I believe this is the first year you could have one without a vinyl roof.

If we assume I’m making the inflation-adjusted equivalent of what I make today, I’d probably go for a Granada with the 302 and the “ESS” package, if it was available that years.

Hmm…Seville or Granada. I’m starting to sound like the infamous comparison ads that Ford ran during that era, or the lady from Brooklyn in the “parking ticket” ad that Syke has referred to a few times over the years.

Daniel – you’d be surprised to know that even though I didn’t much like the Granada/Monarch, I had a bit of a sweet spot for the Versailles!!! Go figure. So if I’d been old enough and rich enough in 1978, I would have considered this:

I liked the wagon choices from this era. I especially liked the LeMans Grand Safari wagon. Unfortunately, they were expensive, and beyond my budget, when compared with the competition. At the time, I liked the disco cars (with extra trim packages), so I likely would have chosen an Aspen/Volare wagon with the 318 or 360, and 1979 only Sport Package.

I am in agreement with you JPC… Those wagons are fiendishly seductive. However, I did have less budget to work with at the time. Plus, the LeBaron wagon struck me as an older gentleman’s car.

Seeing one on the road last year, that wood trim treatment looked fiendishly out of place…

PMC

Posted August 23, 2014 at 7:29 PM

Funny you should mention the LeBaron and the Grand LeMans wagons since my parents chose between those two finalists in 1979. They went with the Pontiac. You have to admit, when it came to fake wood on mid-sized station wagons, those 2 were the most distinctive on the market.

Well, my first thought before reading any of the comments was that I’d likely have gone with what had been a Coronet sedan, but by 1978 was called Monaco. Preferably in blue, or green or even a pale yellow or cream color. But then I started reading and thought the Aspen or Volare would have made a lot of sense, as hopefully most of the bugs would have been worked out by 1978. Oh, and my engine choice for the Monaco would have been the 318. And, the 225 slant six (or maybe even 318) for the Aspen. And, yes, an Aspen wagon appeals to me more now than it did back then. But, JPC, you’ve changed my mind seeing that particularly rare Diplomat wagon. Have seen very few – if any – over the years. That looks like just the ticket. That’s my choice if I could go back in time. And, yet, an Aspen or Volare would have been more affordable. Yes, that Volare wagon posted by Daniel with the 1979 – well, let’s say fall of 1978 – Sport Package would work equally well. And, it’s sportier and thus more youthful, as well as more affordable. The reality is I’d have had to go with the most affordable choice, the Aspen or Volare wagon. And, there’s a good chance that wagon could have been ordered with a manual transmission, so that makes it my final choice.

Those LeBaron Town & Countries were oh so classy looking. The lighter-toned woodgrain surrounds really made that car. I know we’re speaking of 1978MY and non-wagons in this post, but I’d take a 1980 Town & Country, with the more formal waterfall grille and wrap over headlights. With leather and wire wheels, of course!

The LeBaron wagon is a guilty pleasure. The version JPC posted sold well enough, but the ’80 revisions on this car are jarring – so familiar, yet like a dream. I think this was one year only, possibly two, and they must have sold about ten of them in Chrysler’s dark years. I may have seen one or two in their time. This would be one heck of a CC if anyone could turn one up.

Someone is finally with me, only I would take the sedan. In white with blue interior/half vinyl roof. It was a rental that I drove. Had the 318 2-bbl, and man was it wheezy. Smooth and surprisingly quiet, though.

I had a 78 Volare Premier wagon. 360 with a floor shifted 4 speed. A pretty quick wood grain trimmed wagon. Build quality was awful and it went through three transmissions with the original owners( my in-laws). Being such an oddball combination, a lot of parts didn’t seem to fit quite right.

That’s a difficult question to answer, because I’ve never owned, nor driven an American named car. I like the styling of the GM compacts, I also like the engineering underneath the Chrysler compacts. I also like the independent spirit of American Motors.

With the combination of youth and young family you describe, I’d have dearly wanted a Caprice, two-tone red like my folks had, but with the 350 instead of the 305. But that would not be playing.

With family in tow, it sounds like time for a four door. The GM A body four door with the fixed rear window would have been jarring. I hate to say it, but an LTD II might have made the list, but maybe a lack of coolness would have killed it. My tendency to shop brands beyond the low price three also means it could have been a Cougar sedan.

When I was in the actual scenario you describe in 1995, I went with a Chrysler Concorde. So, maybe, having to play by the rules……..a Chrysler LeBaron Medallion sedan.

I’d buy the 1978 Mercury Monarch-mobile! Decent mileage, pretty good reliability for detroit, okay torque with the 240 six and mercury comfort. Plus I could do a custom paintjob with a Venture brothers mural on the hood and trunk.

The scenario that is the premise of this subject was exactly me in 1978. I was driving a Mustang II and we were expecting kid #2 in January ’79. I couldn’t get a ’78 as I waited too late so I ordered my ’79 Malibu coupe, V8 four speed, buckets, F41 suspension, rally wheels, and sun roof. I loved that car when it finally arrived and still do today. If I want to look at it all I have to do is go out in the garage. It doesn’t get driven much, but is still a great car..The baby is now 35 and her son has gotten to ride in it many times.
The reason that I was attracted to these cars is the styling. I am a Ford guy but did not like the looks of the Fairmont.

With a mind to the 2 oil embargos, part of me would like to go with a Malibu coupe with a/c, the small V8 and a 4 speed manual, minimal options, maybe the gauge cluster and the rally wheels.

Though if I wanted something a little fanicier, but still frugal, I would maybe go with a 78 Century Custom Coupe aeroback with the 3.8 V6 and a 4 speed manual, with the Rally Ride and Handling package, road wheels and dual sport mirrors.

Though I could also be lured to a 4 speed and 301 combo Grand Am coupe, with the gauges and Rally II’s.

The other “money no object” side would lean towards spec’d out A-coupe, I like the Cutlass Calais with buckets and T-tops, the 260, to keep it all Oldsmobile, or a loaded out Cutlass Supreme Brougham, with the T’s too.

I like the 78 Grand Prix’s too, a nice black 301 V8 SJ with the snowflakes, leather interior, buckets and console and the full gauges could sway me over to the Pontiac dealer.

Then there is Buick, which probably offered one of the more technically interesting A-bodies, the Regal Sport Coupe, with the 4bbld turbocharged 3.8 V6, T-tops and bucket and console interior.

Damn, so many choices, If I had to pick 2 overall, I like the 4 speed Century coupe and the SJ Grand Prix with the T-tops and leather.

I thought GM offered some of the best domestic choices at the time. Many very desirable cars. I was still a big GM fan, until I saw the first spy photos in Popular Science of the ’80 X-cars. It marked the start of so many mixed feelings towards the corporation. GM seemed at the top of their game in ’78.

1978 was peak for GM for lots of things, peak market share, something like 58 or 60%, their stock was at $60/share, they had peak worldwide employment for 1978 too, something like 860,000 people worldwide collected a check from The General.

By 1978 the imports had gained nearly 20% of the market (not quite, but nearly), so I very much doubt that GM’s share of what was the big three’s share (around 80%) would have been more than 50%, if that. Gm’s share was below 45% in the early 80’s.

I don’t remember why, but I don’t believe they looked at a Malibu. They Volare was out, because the only Plymouth dealer was very inconvienently located. My Dad liked the Aspen wagon they tried, but they ended up going with a Fairmont once the local dealer found one with few enough options to be affordable.

I think it was a good choice, as it was solid and reliable for the next 6-7 years.

On the other hand, hypothetically speaking. If I’m making the choice (and have fewer kids, and more money 😉 ) Cutlass or maybe Regal coupe

Why? Because among the domestics AMC was actually spitting out vehicles that were pretty well screwed together despite the lack of development budget or using the same exterior door handle design for a decade or more.

Oh and living 2000 miles from the factory and the Jeep being the only truly popular vehicle from AMC in the American Southwest, a loaded Concorde would be easy to pick out in a parking lot.

If it was 1978, and I was in the same situation I’m in now: early 40’s, 2 sons (one who is about to turn 16), 42 mile round trip commute each day, I would probably have to pick a Malibu station wagon. Let’s face it — we buy cars for practical reasons. The station wagon offer the space for hauling groceries, etc. That’s why I have a CUV today. My father-in-law often accompanies us to the kids’ events. There would be room in the station wagon for him.

If it was just me, or just my wife and me, I would buy the Olds Cutlass Supreme or Pontiac Grand Prix.

Speaking of all over the map, from our midsize cars I would have to go for a Holden Torana SS hatchback with a 308 and 4 speed. Ideally with the A9X option package as per the Bathurst race cars! The road cars didnt get any more power but did get huge flares and a big reverse hood scoop.

Except 78 saw the introduction of the UC with no V8 options unless you latched onto a runout previous 77 model yer outa luck. the last of the Chargers were still on sale here and were still cleaning up in the B & H race series that woulda been my choice.

Nova coupe. with the 9c1 police option, and the Concours level interior. I remember reading a Motor Trend at the time featuring one of these. they even came with the four spoke sport steering wheel the Camaro had.

It’s a pretty tough call, but I would probably factory order a Cutlass wagon, with the 305 4 bbl and order it loaded. The higher trim cars were much nicer and a/c was a necessity since the rear widows were fixed, the ultimate in cheap.

If the call came down to get a sedan in 1978, I would have a tough time picking an A-body because of the non-roll down rear windows, though I always found the power vents a novelty, they must have had some extra power vents left over from 1968 in the back of an old Delco warehouse. I would have probably found a way to get into a B-body if I needed a 4 door in 78.

Given the muddle that was full-size, mid-size and compact in ’78, the B arguably fits here. Many actual ’78 buyers agreed wholeheartedly. If a young pup on a budget – Caprice. If money were plentiful, a loaded Delta 88 Royale, please.

I remember when the Lebaron and Diplomat Coupes came out and I thought they were one of the best looking cars around. I would probably go with the Diplomat with the Leather that looked so comfortable. The Impressive front end and a hint of the Boattail made those so unique.

No doubt, beautiful car. This cover is the first car brochure I collected. The enterprising Mr. Moore left a stack of these at the barber shop I went to, about two minutes away from the dealership.

Unfortunately for Mr. Moore, I was 14.

A few years later I knew a girl in high school that drove one of these coupes. She was good looking, and had a tailored look about her, kind of like the car. Unfortunately, I wasn’t the only one that thought so.

The wheels on this are just awesome. I’m not sure they appeared on anything else. The Diplomat, Cordoba and Magnum would be the likely suspects. According to the brochure, these are 15″ forged aluminum road wheels, 10% lighter than comparable steel wheels. The sunroof option was insane – your choice of steel or five tints of glass. This was a first rate luxury car. If they had skipped the base version and made most options standard, this would have truly been the next generation Imperial.

Yup, this is the one. Compared to the multiple sizes of shoeboxes coming from the rest of the industry, the tail end of this car was a breath of fresh air. It was a shame that the sedan lacked the same kind of flair.

In 1978, I was “a Baby Boomer with a wife and a little kid” (just our oldest son at the time), and had just started at my first “real” job. We decided to trade in my 1975 VW Rabbit and my wife’s 1975 Toyota Corolla to buy one of the first Westmoreland, PA 1979 VW Rabbits in the fall of that year. (I had determined that riding the bus to and from work was tolerable.)

But in answer to the question, if I went for a midsize car, it would have been a Malibu coupe with a six and manual transmission; GM cars were still the cream of the domestic crop in 1978-79, and I grew up on GM iron.

The Malibu would probably have cost less than the Rabbit, which stickered for about $5600, and there was no discount.

For me, Id pick a 78 Malibu coupe with a 4 speed bolted to whatever V8 you could get with it (305? 267? doesn’t matter, whenever the warranty expires its getting a 383 stroker motor) and the F41 suspension if that were available that year, and probably in navy blue with a white interior. Its not very broughamy but I always loved the Malibu styling from those years. I would also be cross shopping the Cutlass, Grand Prix or Regal but for some reason the Monte Carlo never appealed to me until the SS came out, and nothing from Ford except maybe a Thunderbird. Ive driven Fairmonts and while they look decent, they just felt very cheap.

For my wife, Id want the exact car my aunt bought new in ’78-a Volare Premier wagon with a 318 in black with a red plaid interior, Di-Noc and nearly every conceivable option. That was really a sharp-looking car and very reliable up until the day she traded it in for new 1988 Taurus.

As much as it pains me to say it, I would probably also have bought a Nova sedan. I hate, hate, hate the earlier cars, but by the end of the line, Chevrolet had managed to make the Nova look acceptable (more so than the hideous Aeroback body style of which you all seem inexplicably fond), and if you got the right options, it drove decently.

I would go for a top-of-the-line Nova, whatever that was called in 1978 (I believe the LN and Concours grades were gone). I would custom-order it with the police package and 350 SBC. LA County Sheriff ordered a ton of these and the cars were always in hot pursuit, or so it seemed. You could hear the intake roar a block away.

I suppose the Nova is technically a compact but it should be OK to go down market for a choice.

The Nova back seat was tight and I’m surprised they could use it for police duty. If I needed more space I’d go for the ’78 Fairmont Squire in white. If imports were eligible I’d go for the super-obscure Fox GTI.

I’m torn between 2 Dodges. A 78 Magnum GT with the final year 400 (Lean Burn be damned), or an Aspen Super Coupe E58 360. I would add the Cordoba to my list but the square headlights killed the look in 78.

What I *did* buy in 78 was a Merc Zephyr Z-7 with a 302. sorriest POS I ever had. Put me off of Fords for 25 years.

Would not have touched a Volare or VW Dasher as I had seen the reliability reports in Consumer Reports…dang that 78 Dasher 2 door hatch looked nice, but looked like nothing on it worked for long.

What’s left? Olds Cutlass? I rather liked the roof treatment on the Cutlass 2 door coupe in the mid 70s, but it looks like they went to a more squared off “formal” roof profile by 78, not to my liking.

Maybe I could find a dealer that still had a 77 on his lot…yeah, 77 Cutlass, Brougham me up Scotty.

Well the premise of the question did happen to my folks in 1978. They had 2 Pinto’s(yeas I am scratching my head about that also) and one of them needed to be replaced. It was replaced with a Mercury Monarch. I remember baking in that car in the 1980’s with its vinyl seats. It was such a shitbox and its replacement in 1986 was a brand new 1986 Dodge Aries K station wagon was big improvement(sad to say).

Easy: Pontiac Grand Am. I didn’t even have to think about it. Looks great as a sedan and even better as a coupe, I’d get the 4-bbl 301 V8 and snowflakes.

If I couldn’t get my hands on one, maybe I’d settle for a Cutlass 442 Aeroback or a Century Sport Coupe with the turbo. But that Grand Am was beautiful inside and out and its rarity gave it a certain X-factor. Love those cars, but then this is coming from a man whose dream classic car is a 1974 Pontiac Grand Am.

I was reading away hoping to be the first to mention the Grand Am–we had a 78 coupe. My Dad had a 2 door Beaumont with 307 that died in front of the dealership so he traded it in. Years later I asked why he chose the GA and he said it just looked cool–he honestly didn’t know you could custom order a new car. The GA was a cool car that made it till 1986 when my brother was hit by another driver.

This reminds me of the choices I faced when shopping for a super cheap used car in 1988. Wasn’t crazy about any of these vehicles, they all seemed merely ok transport. I would have to go euro import, Peugeot, Saab, BMW, Benz…they all had cool vehicles in 1978 and the exchange rate was still pretty good that year, so weren’t that much more expensive than domestics.

Without the benefit of hindsight, a Regal Sport Coupe turbo. With, a Cutlass Supreme Coupe, the gold standard. With the inflation of the day, if you played you cards right and got the most desirable options, you could get close to what you paid for it after 2 years, and the folks the beat a path to your door to buy it.

Two door door Grand Am with the 301 4bbl, the black and gold paint combo with Pontiac’s gold snowflake wheels. Second choice, Buick Regal with the Somerset option, navy blue, no vinyl roof, 307 under the hood and Buick ralley’s.

I don’t know if the “Don’t buy a GM Car in its first year of production” rule was firmly established until the X, A, J, N, and fwd C/H cars came along. The Fairmont was leagues better than the Falcon based Maverick/Granada it replaced, but they all seemed like post office vinyl seated strippers. We didn’t buy Fords. The Aspen/Volare had a dismal and well earned reputation and Chrysler wasn’t on the brink of insolvency, it was insolvent. AMC’s cars were smaller inside than the competition, especially the new A bodies, and although they were probably better built than anything else, they were HEAVY and not very fuel efficient. I was a huge fan of the aeroback styling as a child (when asked in interviews, what is your biggest fault, I always mention this) so I’d go with a loaded to the gills Cutlass, I would consider the Century Turbo because in those days GM did something new and got it right. Otherwise I’d go with a loaded to the gills Century or Cutlass Cruiser Wagon, woodgrain and all.

With the requirements set out above (wife, child or two):
A coupe seems like a bad idea, unless the children are old enough not to require special seating.
None of the 4 door sedans are really nice looking cars.
So one of the wagons would make a good choice.
What I had hoped for by this time was electronic fuel injection, but the microprocessor age was beginning and GM realized that a smart computer would make electronic fuel injection much better than a dumb analog computer.

As it really was around 1978, I did trade in my 1976 Riviera for a used 1978 Oldsmobile with diesel engine. I made sure that the oil was a CD grade diesel oil by changing it myself.

As luck would have it, my older brother did want to buy a new car in the spring of 1978. He enlisted his car-nut 15 year old brother (that’s me) to assist him in his quest. I’m trying to recall our rationale for selecting what he did, but we looked at little of everything available back then. The VW Rabbit was very fuel and space efficient, but it was rather expensive. The first alternative was the Renault LeCar, but they had a horrible reliability and rust reputation. The Dodge Omni was another looked at, but we were a bit scared of a “new” car from Chrysler, especially with the Volare/Aspen debacle still unfolding at that time. The Hornet was considered, but they were rather hard on fuel for their size. The GM A bodies, or X compacts were another price range altogether, almost as high as the Rabbit.

We were a Ford family and all of us kids’ first cars were Fords of some stripe. We looked at a Fiesta, not cheap coming from Germany and in high demand at that interstitial between Gas Crisis I and II. There were left over 1977 Comets and the Monarch was pretty pricey for what it was and not great fuel mileage. The Pinto was too small for him. Finally, we decided that a Mercury Zephyr ES 2 door sedan with the 2.3L Pinto and 4 speed manual would give the proper mix of space, utility and fuel mileage.

He waited the 8 weeks for the car to show up, and for the six months or so, it was great. With the Pinto motor, it was no rocket, but it wasn’t a total stone, either. But after the initial break-in, problems with the emissions controls started (and never stopped). The dealer either was never able (or cared to try) to replicate the issues and he just put up with it. He had a 48 month loan on the car and kept it all the way through and a couple of years after. Of all things, he traded it on a 1983 AMC Eagle sedan…

As mentioned before, I would have been all of 15/16 years old back then, so I would have wanted a Smokey and the Bandit replica Trans Am, most likely. I was trying hard to remember what non-muscle car appealed to me back then and I think I was pretty enamored with the fastback GM A bodies. I thought the Olds variations were the best looking of the fastbacks, but lots of folks liked anything with the name Oldsmobile on it back then.

If it came down to buying on a real budget? I probably would have gone with an AMC Hornet or a Fairmont or a Nova of some stripe. IIRC you could get those cars pretty inexpensively.

With kids, I think I’d want the best A-Body I could buy in 4 door form, and doubtless there’d be a debate but I would lean towards a 4-door Buick Century with the available for ’78 Chevrolet 305 V8. Someone above mentioned a Cadillac Seville, but if I could afford a Seville in ’78, then I could also afford a DeVille, Fleetwood Brougham, or Continental, so I wouldn’t be limited to mid-size. Assuming I’m not in that territory financially, I’d choose the Buick or perhaps the Oldsmobile 4 door A with the best V8 available.

The Seville was mid sized in 78 or nearly mid sized. Actually they consider the 1992 Seville midsized which seems unlikely to me. The LeSabre is considered a large car, even in 1999 when I think it was no larger than the Seville.

so….who is going to add up all the nominees to see which was the most popular? iirc, there was a stretch in the mid 70s when the Cutlass was the best selling car in the US. It might have been unhorsed by the Fairmont.

In ’78? A new car? Nope. Between the Volare/Aspen halting on the left turns, the
Malibu/et.al. speedometer going out every 10,000 miles, and the JUNK coming out
of Ford, why bother. Oh, those were bad years for the Volvos, too.
Back then, I could’ve gotten a beauty of Studebaker Lark with optional super-lark
packages, or the wagonaire, (or both!). Or, a lovely used Valiant/Dart wagon (yes,
the newest was a ’66 model), or a later model with A/C.
Why bother with new? I drove both Studebakers and Valiants
straight as every day drivers right through, um, 1996. I still haven’t bothered
with new. And I’m still driving them, but no longer every day. Somewhere in the
90’s the ’78-82 Mercedes W123 Diesels became affordable. Then the Volvos.

Agreed. There was a lot of sweet stuff out there as 10-15 year old used cars that appealed to me a lot more back then. In many ways they were better than what you could get in 1978 and a lot cheaper, too.

For 1979 only, Ford the standard trans on the 302 was a 4-speed (3 + OD). In terms of performance, the lighter Fairmont (probably under, or close to, 3000 lbs with V8) was quicker than the GM cars. It certainly cost a lot less.

In 1980, Ford offered only auto with the 255 V8–no 302.

On paper, the Fairmont seems the best. ALso, if you wanted a manual trans, the odds are the Ford probably shifted better.

So, as middle-school back then, I’d buy the Ford.

But, having access to a Fairmont and a Nova/Ventura in high school, and now as an adult, I can see that the 10-15% cost premium for the GM cars may have been money well spent. The GM bodies flexed and creaked less, they had better steering, nicer interiors, and better engines (at least the 305 Chevy variant was better), and with automatic, probably the same performance and mileage.

The Aspen/Volare 360 auto may have been quickest, but it was heavy, thirsty, and handled more sloppily, and fell apart faster.

I would have gotten a 4-cyl, 4-speed Fairmont sedan with manual steering, handling suspension, turbine wheel covers, and interior and exterior decor groups (chrome trim) and the neat aero mirrors.

The poor mans Volvo, roomy and good on gas.

If I didn’t care about fuel economy and had money to spend, top pick would be a 78 Grand Prix SJ with 301-4V. Or I’d get a Malibu with V8 and auto and F41i, or a Grand Am 301-4v

A Cutlass Surpeme Calais [handling package] coupe. With buckets, steel [no vinyl] top, and the Chevy 305 4 bbl. The 4 pot carb was not available this year on the Maibu or Monte, only the 305 2 bbl. I used to like the aeroback 442, but it didn’t age well.

I’d also get a 260 V8, since I know how long they last, compared to the V6’s.

I’d go with an AMC Concord wagon. My uncle had a ’79, cream with wood along the bottom. I remember is was very comfortable and seemed pretty well made. Of course that was before I was old enough to drive and notice all the little things you are aware of when you’re behind the wheel.

My older brother and his wife (20-somethings at the time) actually got a new car in 1979 to replace their 1972-ish Nova, so it fits this scenario almost perfectly. They chose a 1979 Cutlass Supreme Brougham in silver with a light blue landau top and light blue velour interior. I loved the car (and so did they) and it was largely responsible for my Oldsmobile obsession that continues to this day. So, that would totally be my pick!

I’d do just what my Dad did, and get a Malibu CLassic wagon. 305-4 speed. No fake wood, either. Ours had pale blue vinyl bench seats, and no, the back windows didn’t open. He WOULD have gotten another Olds but they wouldn’t sell him one with a 4-speed. THey had been driving a big gold Olds wagon with the power clamshell back door, (my sister and I fought over the way-way back) but it used too much gas (and didn’t like starting in our Wisconsin winters) My Mom drove that and I remember my Dad having a Buick Apollo and a Gremlin (The Gremmie had floor mats with a little gremlin character that came apart like a jigsaw puzzle, that kept me out of their hair for most drives) They kept the Malibu for 10 years, it was suprisingly rust free compared to other 10-year old cars in the neigborhood. ALso they probably didn’t want me driving a V8 car with a stick, so it got sold suspiciously close to me getting my license. The car towed our camper all over the midwest (and Florida a couple times) it was a good reliable car, unlike a few that replaced this one. (That’s me in the picture, BTW)

We had several Ford Fairmonts as field vehicles with 4 cylinder engines and 4 speed manual transmissions. Not very fast, but they had the strongest A/C’s I have ever experienced which was appreciated considering New Orleans heat and humidity.

I owned a 1979 Fairmont passed down from dad in all it’s blue with white vinyl top no A/C glory. It was the most miserable POS I have ever owned or driven. And no way does it have 90% of the interior space of a 1978 Impala/Caprice. Fitting 3 in front or back was next to impossible due in part to the car’s narrow width and the large center driveline hump unless your were a tooth pick. Fitting 3 up front and back in any B-body with front bench/split bench is easy and there trunks are large compared to my Fairmont’s very shallow one which couldn’t even stand a paper grocery back upright without squashing it.

That car was so noisy and loud to drive on the thruway that my dad used to keep the speed down to 55 on the highways on long trips. The windows were about as thick as a dime, there was zero sound insulation and the doors sounded so tinny when closed. The front flight bench seat was the most uncomfortable seat me or dad ever sat in on anything over 20 minutes of driving. The 200 six was as slow as a 4 banger and drank gas like a V8 and that was when it was running quite well with low miles! Electrical issues were a common nightmare, especially grounds, taillights and interior dash lights.

My pick for the class of 1978- A 2 door Grand Am with 301 4BBL and 350 THM trans snowflakes and two tone black and silver or second pick a Cutlass Calais with the bullet proof 260 Olds motor, optional 2.93:1 trailer towing rear gears, Olds rally wheels in navy blue and RWL tires of course with matching blue interior.
I owned a 79 Calais with 260 and those optional rare gears and it was an awesome car even if it was a bit anemic on the highway and rode/handled like a dream. My 1980 Grand Prix SJ with 301 4BBL would have been representative of the Grand Am and that car was one of the best from that time era in many ways.

No question about it, it would be a GM coupe. Either the Monte Carlo or the Grand Prix. Novas were nice, but by ’78 they were on the way out. An all-new, stylish downsized coupe was the way to go. The hypothetical child in the back seat had no doors to fall out of. This was the Seventies, after all, not the 2000s. If I had to be practical and get a wagon, it would be a Caprice, of course. Or… a Hornet Sportabout, if “midsize” was strictly enforced. I wouldn’t have cared for any Ford or Mopar back then, it would be AMC in a pinch as a very distant second.

In reality, I did drive a ’79 Monte Carlo, but a couple of years later, as a used car. And only because I missed out on a nice ’68 GTO that I really wanted – and could have gotten – at the time.